The registration process for stall plots at the iconic Cuttack Bali Yatra began today, with the Odisha government introducing a new auction-based system to ensure fairness and transparency in allotment.
Officials confirmed that application forms will be available until October 9 at Barabati Palace for a nominal cost of Rs 100. Individuals and organisations may apply for a maximum of three plots each. An initial registration fee of Rs 5,000 per plot has been fixed.
In cases where multiple applicants vie for the same plot, an open auction will determine the final allotment.
Event Details
This year’s Bali Yatra, officially renamed “Historic Bali Yatra Cuttack 2025”, will be held from November 5 to 12 on the banks of the Mahanadi River. The fair commemorates Odisha’s maritime heritage and centuries-old trade links with Southeast Asia.
Spread across 60 acres — almost double the size of previous editions — the mega fair will feature hundreds of stalls, two cultural stages, and special transport arrangements including 50 dedicated buses. Daily activities will conclude by 11 pm.
Authorities expect record participation from traders, artisans, cultural organisations, and lakhs of visitors, making this year’s edition the most vibrant yet.
Mayor’s Appeal for Upper Ground
Earlier this week, Cuttack Mayor Subhash Singh urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to allow the use of the upper ground for stalls, arguing that limiting commercial activity to the lower ground could cause traffic congestion and hurt local sentiments.
District authorities had cited crowd management and safety concerns for confining stalls to the lower ground. Heritage activists have also called for the inclusion of the upper ground, highlighting its importance in preserving Cuttack’s thousand-year-old maritime tradition.
